Shrub rose plant named &#39;Sprolempink&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive semi-double pink blossoms having a blotch of burgundy coloration at the center. The vegetation is strong and the growth habit is compact and bushy. Attractive ornamental glossy dark green foliage is formed. Above average resistance to blackspot for the type is exhibited. Additionally, the new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Sprolempink

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of shrub rose plant of the present invention was createdby artificial pollination carried out during 2007 at Bakersfield,Calif., U.S.A., wherein two parents were crossed which previously hadbeen studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was anunnamed rose seedling (non-patented in the United States). The maleparent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was supplied by theuse of mixed Hulthemia persicas pollen (non-patented in the UnitedStates). The parentage of the present invention can be summarized asfollows:

Unnamed Seedling×Mixed Hulthemia persicas Pollen.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown during 2008 andsmall plants were obtained which were physically and biologicallydifferent from each other. Selective study resulted in theidentification of a single plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new variety of shrub rose plant of the presentinvention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive        semi-double pink blossoms having a blotch of burgundy coloration        at the center,    -   (b) exhibits a compact and bushy growth habit,    -   (c) forms attractive ornamental dark green foliage with a glossy        finish, and    -   (d) exhibits above average resistance to blackspot for the type.

A new rose variety is provided having attractive semi-double pink andburgundy blooms, combined with substantially continuous blooming andabove average resistance to blackspot for the type.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as attractive ornamentation in parks, gardens,public areas, and residential landscapes. The new variety isparticularly well suited for growing in the Western U.S.A. landscape.The pink and burgundy blossoms contrast nicely with the dark greenfoliage.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found to be homogeneousand stable and are strictly transmissible by asexual propagation atWasco, Calif., U.S.A., such as budding, grafting, and vegetativepropagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new varietycan be asexually reproduced in a true-to-type manner.

The new variety has been named ‘Sprolempink’ and will be marketed underthe EYECONIC PINK LEMONADE trademark.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from other Hulthemiapersicas rose plants. Such Hulthemia rose plants generally bloom onlyonce a year, are susceptible to diseases such as blackspot, andgenerally display an unattractive growth habit. It is found that the newvariety will maintains on the blossoms a central burgundy blotch that isa defining mark of Hulthemias, and combines this with a rebloomingcharacter, increased resistance to blackspot, and an attractive compactand bushy growth habit. Accordingly, the new variety is demonstrated todisplay the improved qualities of reblooming, disease resistance, andattractive growth habit, unlike those commonly displayed by otherHulthemia hybrids to date.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character,typical blossoms of the new variety. The illustrated plant wasapproximately two years of age and was being grown during June on itsown roots outdoors in the field at Wasco, Calif., U.S.A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). The description is based onthe observation of two-year-old specimens of the new variety during Junewhile grown outdoors on their own roots at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Shrub Rose.-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—approximately 3 feet on average at the end of the            growing season.        -   Width.—approximately 3 feet on average at the end of the            growing season.        -   Habit.—compact, and bushy.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—young stems: near Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Thorns.—size: approximately 5 mm in length and approximately            1 to 2 mm in diameter on average at the base. — color:            Greyed-Orange Group 171C.-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaflets.—number: 3, 5, and 7. — shape: ovate with a            serrulate margin, rounded base, and acuminate tip. — size:            terminal leaflets commonly are approximately 3.5 cm in            length and approximately 3.5 cm in width on average, and            lower leaflets commonly are approximately 2 cm in length and            approximately 1.3 cm in width on average. — texture: smooth            on the upper surface and mostly smooth on the under surface            commonly with some roughness around the midrib. — overall            appearance: very dense, leathery, and dark green in            coloration, with a glossy finish. — color (adult foliage):            upper surface: commonly near Yellow Green Group 138A. under            surface: commonly near Green Group 138B. leaflet margins:            Greyed-Red Group 182A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers.—commonly approximately 5 blooms per stem            on average in a cluster.        -   Peduncle.—Yellow-Green Group 144B, approximately 4 cm in            length on average and approximately 2 to 3 mm in diameter on            average.        -   Sepals.—number: five. — size: commonly approximately 2 cm in            length and approximately 9 mm in width at the widest point            on average. — upper surface: near Yellow-Green Group 145C,            somewhat soft, and moderately tomentose. — under surface:            near Yellow-Green Group 144B, smooth in texture, and mildly            hispidulous.        -   Buds.—shape: ovoid. — length: approximately 2 cm on average.            — diameter: commonly approximately 1.5 cm on average. —            color: near Red Group 50A when opening.        -   Flower.—form: cuplike and semi-double. — diameter:            approximately 7 cm on average. — color: upper surface:            generally pink with a burgundy central blotch, outer            portions of the petals are near Red Group 38D, transitioning            to a narrow portion of near Yellow Group 4C, and            subsequently transitioning to near Red Group 45D to form a            dark burgundy central blotch approaching the point of            attachment. under surface: Red Group 36A toward the apex and            Yellow Group 3D at the point of attachment. — fragrance:            none noticeable. — petal number: approximately 10 on            average. — petal drop: good, with the petals commonly            dropping cleanly and freely. — stamen number: approximately            80 to 90 on average. — anthers: Yellow-Orange Group 22A in            coloration. — filaments: commonly near Yellow Group 6A on            the upper two-thirds, Red Group 43A on the lower two-thirds,            and commonly approximately 5 to 10 mm in length. — pistils:            separate and free, and commonly approximately 30 to 40 in            number on average. — receptacle: achenes stand on the bottom            and wall.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—strong.        -   Blossoming.—abundant and substantially continuous.        -   Resistance to diseases.—above average for the type with            respect to blackspot, mildew, and rust.        -   Propensity to form hips/seeds.—spare.        -   Hardiness.—U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone Nos. 6 to 9.

Plants of the new ‘Sprolempink’ variety have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possiblethat the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in lightintensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmentalconditions.

1. A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant characterized by thefollowing combination of characteristics: (a) abundantly andsubstantially continuously forms attractive semi-double pink blossomshaving a blotch of burgundy coloration at the center, (b) exhibits acompact and bushy growth habit, (c) forms attractive ornamental darkgreen foliage with a glossy finish, and (d) exhibits above averageresistance to blackspot for the type; substantially as herein shown anddescribed.